Mourning the Loss of Professor Dr.-Ing. Mathias Groß
2024-12-13 It is with great sadness that the university community of Leuphana bids farewell to Professor Dr.-Ing. Mathias Groß, who joined the former University of Applied Sciences of Northeast Lower Saxony in 1998 and, since 2006, served at our university. His contributions enriched the institution with innovative research and teaching. Professor Groß’s tireless commitment to bridging academia and practice, along with his forward-thinking approach to education, distinguished him and his work in exceptional ways.
Mathias Groß was appointed as Professor of Multimedia Informatics at the University of Applied Sciences of Northeast Lower Saxony in Lüneburg in 1998. In 2000, he established the Institute for Interactive Media GmbH, which he led with vision and success. The institute later evolved into the consulting firm Congenius. In 2005, following the merger of the University of Applied Sciences and Leuphana University, he co-founded the Institute for Information Systems, which remains a cornerstone of the School of Management and Technology to this day.
Entrepreneurship and innovation are defining themes of Mathias Groß’s work, even before his tenure in Lüneburg. In 1989, he co-founded Schuh & Co. GmbH with Professor Günther Schuh, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and ability to tackle complex challenges with a clear eye on the future. After joining Gruner + Jahr in 1994, he founded the KOLIBRI Agency for New Media in 1995, which later became ECHTZEIT Advertising Agency.
Mathias Groß began his academic journey by studying mechanical engineering at RWTH Aachen and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), funded by a Volkswagen Foundation scholarship. He earned his doctorate with distinction in 1990 at the renowned Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) of RWTH Aachen.
At Leuphana, Professor Groß has left an enduring legacy and a significant void. As programme director for the Minor in Digital Business, he seamlessly combined excellent teaching with practical applications, always with his students’ interests at heart. His dedication as Chair of the Examination Board for Information Systems and his active engagement in the School Council exemplify the breadth of his contributions.
Mathias Groß was not only an outstanding academic but also a person of remarkable openness, with genuine interest in others. He had a unique ability to inspire, bring ideas to life, and build bridges between theory and practice. His support for various start-ups, such as reisetopia, hoebu, and sugarshape, guiding them to success, is a testament to his far-reaching influence. Students, colleagues, and peers admired him equally for his expertise and, above all, for his warmth and humanity.
With his passing, we have lost an exceptional mind, a tireless supporter of young talent, and a deeply respected colleague and friend. Our thoughts are with his family and all those close to him during this difficult time.